Controversial quarry project scrapped; company withdraws application

MELANCTHON, Ont. - The company behind a proposed quarry project north of Toronto has withdrawn its application saying it does not have "sufficient" support from the community and the government.

Highland Companies wanted to develop a massive quarry in Melancthon Township but the controversial project was met with protests.

Activists said the quarry would threaten the region's water tables and destroy prime farm land and held large events to raise awareness and funds to fight the quarry.

The company disputed those claims, saying in previous statements that drinking water would not be affected and that the land would be rehabilitated to agricultural use.

Highland also says today that its president has resigned and "has no further involvement with the company."

The company consists of a group of private investors in the U.S. and Canada and is involved in farming and aggregates, including a large potato farming operation.

"While we believe that the quarry would have brought significant economic benefit to Melancthon Township and served Ontario’s well-documented need for aggregate, we acknowledge that the application does not have sufficient support from the community and government to justify proceeding with the approval process," John Scherer of The Highland Companies said in a statement.